The Dolphins are still very much in the hunt for free-agent tackle Jake Long. / Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins had all of last season and part of this offseason to sign Jake Long. They were unable to do so.

Even with Long reaching the end of a two-day visit with the St. Louis Rams, that doesn't mean the Dolphins are out of it.

The team that drafted Long No. 1 overall in 2008 is mounting a charge to retain their left tackle, according to a person informed of the negotiations between the sides. The person, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity, said general manager Jeff Ireland and his team have been in communication with Long on Friday morning and are trying to bridge the gap they've had in previous negotiations.

The person said Long was demanding more than the Cleveland Browns gave Joe Thomas ($84 million over seven years) in 2011 but has since come down in his requests.

The most lucrative deal a tackle has received this offseason was the five-year, $37.5 million deal the New York Giants gave Will Beatty. Long was surely trying to get at least $10 million per season, though his recent injury history and declining performance figure to preclude him from reaching that mark.

Long played 12 games last season, suffering a left triceps injury in early December loss to the New England Patriots.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Long is leaving St. Louis this afternoon without a contract and that multiple teams are interested.

At least two are - the Rams and the Dolphins. And Miami is hoping Long will remain in South Florida to protect quarterback Ryan Tannehill for a few more years.